BALTIMORE – Now playing the part of Shin-Soo Choo is Devin Mesoraco. Last year Choo led the majors by getting hit by pitches 26 times. While the Reds catcher's total of 11 isn't quite there, he had been hit in four of his previous five games going into Wednesday in Baltimore.

"I don't know what's been going on. I am on the plate, so it's not a surprise I do get hit some, but four out of five games is probably a little weird," Mesoraco said. "The Pirates pitch inside a lot, so that's not too surprising."

Only two of those hit-by-pitches were against the Pirates.

"I've been hit pretty good – but knock on wood it's caught mostly muscle," Mesoraco said. "Muscle is fine. As long as it isn't on a bone and blowing up or anything, I'm fine."

In this stretch, Mesoraco said, he's been hit on the wrist, elbow, triceps and square in the back. The last one sounded impressive, but it was the least painful.

COZART AT HOME: Shortstop Zack Cozart was scheduled to rejoin the Reds on Thursday after his wife gave birth Tuesday, but a wrist injury will keep him away for one more day. Instead, he'll rejoin the team in Cincinnati when the Reds open a three-game series against the Mets.

Cozart was dealing with inflammation in his right wrist. He had a regularly scheduled day out of the lineup on Sunday and complained of the injury after hitting in the cage before the game. He went back to Cincinnati after Sunday's game and was examined Monday.

"It's not inconsequential, but it's not something that's going to threaten September for him," manager Bryan Price said.